Page 74

“How about just a tray of your favorite dessert? Kwon told me you have a sweet tooth. I can spoon feed you whenever you’re ready.”

Nell sighed and slumped in her seat. She’d do anything to get Rane to open his eyes. Naked dessert eating was just the start of her ideas to get him out of this coma.

She ran a hand along his arm. Nell had no fear about touching him now. Everything Doctor Kingsbury had told her about her abduction was a lie.

As was Doctor Kingsbury. Her real name was Poctoc. And after Nell had faced some intense questioning from Starland security, she’d learned this wasn’t the first time Poctoc had used her ability to get what she wanted. She was wanted in four different galaxies for the illegal use of her ability to help her fraudulently obtain property and money. She was also wanted for murder. At least, she couldn’t hurt anyone else after what Nell had done to her.

Nell still had a few more questions to answer, but it looked like no charges would be pressed, and they were in the clear.

Nell shuddered as she remembered pulling off chunks of the Passista and throwing her against the wall like she was silly putty. It was not her proudest moment, but that evil slime bucket had been hurting Rane.

The door to the private room she was in with Rane slid open.

“How’s he doing?” Kwon had been in several times, getting updates as to Rane’s progress and bringing food and comforting words.

Nell looked closely at Rane’s face. “There’s no change. He’s no better and no worse.”

Kwon closed the door and walked to the other side of the bed. “He’s a stubborn son of an alien. He’ll get through this.”

Nell swallowed the tightness in her throat. He had to. There was no other option. “Is everything getting back to normal on Prodigy?”

Kwon nodded. “The whole messy plot has been uncovered. Councillor Agrave was caught sneaking into the cargo hold of a Koob ship and arrested. The Passista and Tolong plan has been reported to the Council of Representatives. It’s up to them what happens next. I’m guessing sanctions and fines.”

Nell let out a relieved sigh. It all seemed like ancient history, even though it was only forty-eight hours ago that Prodigy was at serious risk of being blown apart.

Kwon placed a hand on Rane’s shoulder. “It’s all thanks to you and this guy we’ve still got a station.”

“It’s also thanks to me that we almost didn’t.”

“No one blames you,” Kwon said. “Anyone would have been influenced by that Passista. It was bad luck that she used you.”

“I’m done with therapy. I know who I trust in this world.” Her gaze went to Rane. He’d never tried to take advantage when he’d used his ability to help her.

Nell felt a glimmer of shame. Rane had never once complained or said how much of a toll it took on his body, keeping her calm. If she hadn’t used him, he might not be in this position.

Kwon reached across the bed and touched her hand. “I’m just like Rane. I sense an individual’s turmoil. You’ve got nothing to beat yourself up about. You both did an incredible job.”

She nodded and blinked away tears.

The door slid open again. Another face Nell had grown used to seeing over the last two days walked in. Cowes held six large canvases in his arms.

Kwon looked over and smiled. “What have you got there, boss?”

Cowes lined the canvases along the wall. “I figured it couldn’t do any harm if Rane saw his art when he wakes up. He’s always going on about how important it is. I thought it being here might make a difference.”

“He’ll be happy to see it,” Nell said. “Thanks for bringing it to Starland.”

Cowes nodded. He stared at the paintings. “I still don’t get it, but it makes Rane happy. When he comes out of this, we can figure something out, see if there’s room for these canvases and his work.”

“There’s a place for him back on your team?” Nell asked.

“When he’s ready to come back, I’ll always have a place for Rane.” Cowes scrubbed a hand down his face, his expression contrite. “I was hasty in my decision to remove him from duty.”

“You were an asshole, sir.” Kwon grinned at Cowes.

Cowes narrowed his eyes. “Maybe a tiny bit of an asshole. I’m always going to be on Rane’s back about losing focus, but he’s the most effective Olickie we’ve got on the team.”

Kwon made a show of clearing his throat and patting his chest. “Sorry, I didn’t hear that right.”